Recent Articles
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Lazy motions and casual votes
Bob Harris and Sandra Giarde Association ManagementThe meeting was gaveled to order. After introductions, motions were made to approve the minutes and accept the financial report. Next on the agenda were committee reports. Actions needing board approval were presented with rationale, performance metrics and fiscal impact. When the recommendation had merit, the board chair asked, "Does anybody want to make a motion?" Motions often entail a directive, deadline or have financial consequences. Specificity is key.
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Building the toolkit for paraprofessional success
Savanna Flakes EducationParaprofessionals — you are kind of a big deal! You use your talents to inspire and to encourage students to discover their own strengths. Your role is unique, and with limited time to plan with collaborating teachers, you passionately meet the needs of many students. This article is for you, with the goal of strengthening your toolkit. I’ve compiled a list of practices under three critical elements of this dynamic role: knowing thy student(s), collecting data, and facilitating student independence.
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Want to use videos to boost your sales? Here’s how
Victor Blasco MarketingOver the last decade or so, digital marketing has shifted to a more personalized style of reaching audiences. The rise of machine learning algorithms, subscription-based marketing, and user segmentation has allowed brands to customize content to fit each of their target audiences and engage with them in the most effective way possible. As a result, video has become one of the most versatile types of content of the marketing toolbox. You see it everywhere online, from whiteboard videos and live-action tutorials to unboxing videos and customer testimonials.
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8 typography design trends for 2021
Kevin Miller MarketingTypography transforms words from mere text to artful communication. So much can be said by the font and type design — from prominent, bold sans-serif fonts to delicate serifs; from traditional, timeless variations to totally new techniques. While the strong roots were laid early in the 20th century, the explosion of digital graphics mediums and designers themselves has allowed for a wide array of amazing ideas and evolution. Some ideas are simply fads, while others are trends that are here to stay. We’ve highlighted what we see as the top typography trends for 2021.
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Good news in your job search: Harry, Larry, and the bear
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhat is North America’s No. 1 domestic issue of most concern to the average person? Politics? Coronavirus? Who will win Super Bowl LV? Nope! The thing that concerns most people is still jobs. Whether you are 18 or 80, you’ve likely never seen it more difficult to find a great job in your field of interest in your lifetime. Lockdowns in various regions of the country, overseas competition, and rapidly changing methods employers use to fill jobs have all made it difficult for good people to find good jobs.
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Who should absorb home office costs?
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf there’s been one bright spot in the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the ability of employees to work from home. According to a new report by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics, employees love working from home, and 77% of respondents say that even after COVID-19 is over, they would be happier if they could continue working from home. However, the report also reveals that only 20 to 25% of companies pay or share the cost of home office equipment, furniture, internet, etc. And employees believe that companies should be paying more.
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COVID-19 is the mother-in-law of invention
Josh Middlebrooks Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor business owners, keeping customers and employees safe has always been a priority. If you are lucky enough to live in a place that does not have a lockdown order, you could go to a local business, and in some dusty corner near an old water fountain, you will see an OSHA poster hanging on the wall letting everyone know that this business cares about safety. For decades, it was business as usual. Then there was COVID-19 and the panic that ensued. Suddenly businesses were scrambling to figure out how to remain open, how to keep their people safe, and maybe even how to stay profitable.
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Leading women to STEM careers
Terry Hogan and Angela Cleveland EducationOnce they hit middle school, girls often move away from STEM-related careers. School counselors can help middle and high school girls keep all their options open. Careers in STEM exert significant influence and power, shaping nearly every aspect of our lives. Yet, women (diverse in race, ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, abilities, and other historically marginalized identities) are underrepresented in the field. And, even when present, they may find themselves in unwelcoming cultures that impede their participation as innovators, leaders, and researchers who are shaping the future.
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A strategic plan dilemma: Organizational infrastructure
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementA strategic plan guides the board, communicates value to members and empowers the staff. Most have three to six goals. The dilemma is whether to include anything about the infrastructure in the plan. Infrastructure is internal, focused on governance and management. It would include technology investment, leadership pipeline, professional staffing, and financial resources. Without infrastructure, the other goals cannot be advanced.
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Infographic: What new tech means for nursing homes of the future
Brian Wallace Medical & Allied HealthcareThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for quality nursing home care. While 25% of COVID-19 deaths come from nursing homes, the quality of the nursing home affects results: 4- to 5-star nursing homes had 94% lower risk than their 1-star peers. When the pandemic is over, those disparities will remain. As the population of America ages, nursing homes will house more people than ever in the coming years.